3. The act of formally betrothing a man and woman.

This is the the night of the contract.

Longwellow.

Syn. -- Covenant; agreement; compact; stipulation; bargain; arrangement; obligation. See Covenant.

Con*tract"ed (k&obreve;n*trăkt"&ebreve;d), a. 1. Drawn together; shrunken; wrinkled; narrow; as, a contracted brow; a contracted noun.